Pulmonary Hyaline Membrane: Further Observations on Epithelial Origin

Abstract

Hyaline membranes are described in the lungs of the two young children who died following aspiration of kerosene. The membranes occur predominantly in respiratory bronchioles, but some are also present in the alveoli in Case 2, in which there are also degenerative changes in the lining epithelial cells. Granular eosinophilic material has been observed to form within the cytoplasm of greatly swollen alveolar epithelial cells. Gradations can be traced through several cells from the early formation of this eosinophilic substance in the cytoplasm to hyaline membranes. The observations in individual cells seem conclusive for establishing that cellular necrosis is the basis of hyaline membrane formation. The changes due to the action of kerosene on the epithelial lining of the respiratory tract are pertinent to further understanding of neonatal hyaline membranes.